3 Jan 2012

Musician Youssou N'Dour seeks Senegal presidency

3:19 pm on 3 January 2012

Musician Youssou N'Dour has announced he is running in next month's presidential elections in Senegal.

Mr N'Dour said on his own TV network he had listened to the people and was responding favourably.

He will run against incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, who is seeking a controversial third term.

The BBC reports Mr Wade's bid and changes he proposed to the constitution have prompted widespread unrest in recent months.

Mr N'Dour is renowned around the world for his individual fusion of traditional Senegalese music with salsa, jazz and hip-hop.

His 1994 duet with Neneh Cherry, Seven Seconds, was a worldwide hit and won a Grammy nomination.